Two years ago, after letting my hair grow out longer than it had ever been, I chopped it off and sent it to Locks of Love. After that, I thought I'd be keeping my hair short for a while. Nope, didn't happen. I let it grow and continued to let it grow with the sole intent of donating it to Locks of Love again. Today, just over two years after my first donation, and as a Mother's Day treat to myself, I chopped off 11" of hair. Monday morning it will be off to Locks of Love so a young child battling a disease that has taken his or her hair away from them can feel a sense of normalcy again.
I would encourage anyone who has the ability to do so, to do something like this. It puts a smile on my face and hopefully puts a smile on someone else's face too.
See you again in 2 years? Perhaps!
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I admit that I love design contests. It's not because I want and expect to win them. It's more because it opens up my mind to new designs and concepts and often breaks me out of a designers block.
I've recently entered a contest that not only opened up my mind, but hit me in my heart and soul because it combines two of the things I'm passionate about - Music and Cancer Awareness.
The website/organization Talenthouse puts together competitions for professional and amateur artists, designers, photographers, and musicians to submit entries into many different contests. It puts the designer in every day people in touch with artists and musicians who want to use their work. There is a new contest on Talenthouse right now called Secret 7". Ultimately the contest is to benefit Teenage Cancer Trust which does amazing things for kids with Cancer. The challenge was to design a 7" single record sleeve for one (or more) of the bands/musicians participating in this contest inspired by a single song chosen by each artist. As a longtime fan of the band The Cure, I chose to create a design for the single they chose, "Friday, I'm In Love." The design could be anything each individual person wanted to create, as long as it didn't include the name of the artist or the song - as this is a "secret" design competition. See below for details (taken from The Cure's page on Talenthouse):
Secret 7" is an exciting project combining music and art in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust. Seven bands and recording artists (The Cure, Florence + The Machine, DJ Shadow, Ben Howard, CSS, Noah and The Whale and Bombay Bicycle Club) are inviting creatives to design the artwork for a seven inch vinyl sleeve inspired by one of their songs. The project will culminate in 700 unique vinyl sleeves displayed in Idea Generation Gallery in London in the week leading up to Record Store Day 2012. On that day, each of the vinyls at the gallery will be available to purchase with all of the profits going to Teenage Cancer Trust.
On November 4, 2008, the State of California passed Prop 8, amending their ban on same-sex marriage. As a silent protest, the NOH8 Campaign began, created by photographer Adam Bouska and Jeff Parshley. The campaign featured people getting their pictures taken with duct tape over their mouths and NOH8 painted on one cheek, symbolic of the voices of the LGBT community and their supporters being silenced by the passage of Prop 8.
On November 4, 2011, the NOH8 photo campaign was still going strong and making one of it's many nationwide stops - this time in Denver, Colorado. And I got to be there.
The photo shoot took place at the GLBT Community Center of Denver. My friend Leon and I got there a bit after the 1pm start time, and didn't have to wait long to be a part of photographic history. We got our temporary tattoos placed on our cheeks while we waited. Then came the photo shoot. It was quick. Very quick. Adam gave me a quick hello, placed the duct tape over my mouth told me how to pose, then click, click, click of the camera, followed by another pose, a few more clicks on the camera, and I was done. Next up, Leon!
We were in and out of the Center in no time, yet I felt a bigger sense of pride than I have felt at most any other time in my life. The birth of my son will always be my proudest moment. This event will forever be toward the top as well. I have been an ally of the LGBT community since I was young. I have spoken out for gay marriage even before it was a topic that the general public wanted to talk about. Yet, this brief moment in time gave me the opportunity to feel like I did something that could and would make a difference.
Now we wait, up to 8 weeks for the photos to be available through the NOH8 website. All of the photos in this campaign have been amazing, and I can't wait to see ours.
Thank you NOH8 Campaign for coming to Denver, for allowing us to be a part of something so special, and for doing what you do. I am honored and humbled by this incredible experience.
~ Stacy
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The holiday season is quickly approaching, and while some people start their Christmas shopping on December 26th, others put it off until they absolutely have to shop. The reasons for waiting range from not having the money to start the shopping, to the thrill of the last minute shopping, to the loathing of stepping into a mall or big chain store.
This year, and every year, really, I'd like to encourage everyone to skip the mall and the discount chain stores and go support your local artists, or other independent artists, who sell their designs and wares at craft fairs, consignment shops, or online at places like Zazzle, Fine Art America, Cafe Press, and other print on demand sites. Not only will you be supporting artists that do what they love even though the money does not always share their passion, but you will be buying gifts for yourself or others that are unique and in some cases, customizable.
The artists you support might be professionals or amateurs, full time workers or retirees, stay at home moms and dads, or people with illnesses or disabilities. No matter the background, all of them have a love of art and design and they all appreciate the support of those who purchase their heart and soul.
Thank you on behalf of all the artists and designers I proudly call my friends and family. The artist community is a tight knit one and one I feel blessed to be a part of.
Thank you for reading from Rdwnggrl's World.
Back in March I did a blog post titled Forever Young - A Random Musical Memory. It was about an hour of time where I was a guest DJ on Seattle's 107.7 The End in 2002. I mentioned then that I had two other brushes with radio programming fame, both Depeche Mode related, and that I'd write about them at later date. I guess that date is now because I've been thinking about both moments pretty heavily the last couple of days.
Through Facebook, I've recently taken part in a 30 Day Depeche Mode Song challenge which has made me think about DM music a lot lately. It's brought back memories of certain songs, events, and times in my life. And, yes, it did make me think about my times on The End.
One day in 2005, The End announced they would be doing a weekend of listener programming. Listeners could submit a list of 10 songs to fill a one hour block of programming - this was similar to the deal they did in 2002 that I blogged about in Forever Young. The difference this time would be that the listener would not be guest DJing. The regular End DJs would be playing our playlists. Because I feel a need to promote Depeche Mode to the masses whenever I can, I decided I would submit a list of 10 DM songs. They never said the 10 songs had to be by different artists.
I never heard if my list was chosen or not, so when the weekend came for them to play the listeners choices, I had The End going on the radio from the time I woke up that Saturday morning. We had to leave the house that day to run some errands. We left the house, got into the car and once we turned on the radio, there was Depeche Mode playing. It was one of the songs I chosen, but I wasn't sure if it was my list, or if someone else had chosen DM songs as well. That song ended and the next song began, and again, it was DM. This HAD to be my list! At the end of the second song, Neal, the DJ, came on and said that we were now listening to "Stacy's 10 song choices" and mentioned it was going to be an hour of Depeche Mode - because they never said the 10 songs had to be by different artists - exactly my thought when I chose the songs...LOL.
To give my list a better chance of being chosen, I picked 10 songs that got radio play at one time or another, rather than lesser known tracks. My 10 songs were: Just Can't Get Enough, Personal Jesus, Enjoy The Silence, Behind The Wheel, It's No Good, A Question of Time, Never Let Me Down Again, Strangelove, People Are People, and Dream On.
In 2006, The End had a day of listener appreciation where listeners could submit 3 songs they wanted to hear by one artist. I submitted 3 songs - of course by Depeche Mode. The songs I chose were "Behind The Wheel/Route 66," "I Feel You," and "Precious." I got a call at work one day from Neal at The End - who remembered me from my list of 10 songs the year before - saying my list had been chosen and they wanted to record me doing an introduction to my block of songs. I went into a private conference room to record my intro, which included a dig at mainstream radio not giving the recognition and airplay that the greatest band of the last 25 years (at the time) rightfully deserved. Neal loved it and the next day, it, along with my songs, were played on the air. ;)
I feel lucky to have had so many great times thanks to the old days of The End. It was through them (with thanks to my husband) that I got the great pleasure of meeting Depeche Mode before the Playing The Angel show in Seattle, and I will always be grateful for that most amazing moment. Perhaps that is a story for another future blog.
I've heard The End has gotten a little worse for wear over the last few years and that makes me sad. But at least I have so many great memories thanks to the DJs and programmers that once called The End home.
Thank you for reading from Rdwnggrl's World!
Looking for an illustrator for a special project? Why settle for an illustrator when you can have a Trillustrator?
Tricia-Rennea, of Trillustrations and The Shy Socialites will not only meet your expectations, but exceed them beyond your wildest dreams. Whether for personal use (paper dolls, personalized stationery, custom illustrations, gift tags), professional needs (business cards, custom letterhead, logos) or anywhere in-between, Tricia-Rennea has you covered. Snazzy, simple, sophisticated, or sweet her style is unique and fun. You won't be disappointed.
Tricia-Rennea will take the time to listen to your needs, work toward a mutual goal, and give you something that you will be proud to show off to everyone you know. She really cares about her work and her clients, and it shows in every single line, color, and design. Contact her today!
Find Tricia-Rennea at Trillustrations, The Candy Store, on Facebook, on her blog, and at The Shy Socialites.
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During a recent comedy show in Nashville, TN, actor/comedian Tracy Morgan unleashed a now infamous homophobic rant that sent shock, confusion, and anger throughout big cities and small towns alike.
Jo Koy is now underfire for using the term "f*cking f*gg*t" toward a male member of the audience while performing in Chicago.
Jo has since apologized for the words he used, as has Tracy. They showed a sense of maturity and responsibility by owning up to the error of their words and actions.
But these incidents made the wheels in my head turn, once again, toward the issue of homophobia and the attitudes toward it.
F*g. F*gg*t. D*ke. These are derogatory words. They carry the same weight of ignorance, intolerance, and hate as the N-Word and other racial words do. They carry the same negative feelings as the R-Word. Yet, here we are in 2011, and many people still use the F-Word easily and without thought or regard to what it means and how it hurts.Yes, I realize that people in the gay/lesbian community or in the African American community sometimes use these words amongst themselves, but that doesn't make it right for others to use them. It doesn't make it necessarily right for them to use them themselves, either, as it perpetuates the thought to the outside world that it's ok.
Perhaps we take things too seriously. Perhaps we should grow thicker skin and not be so easily offended. But that's easy for a seemingly "normal" straight white person to say. For the most part, we aren't discriminated against. But if you wouldn't think to call your African American neighbor the N-Word, or your nephew with Down's Syndrome the R-Word, then why should it be okay for your to call your Gay friend/relative/co-worker/stranger the F-Word?
Why can't we, as a society, learn to live with those different from us, or that we disagree with without feeling the need to be hurtful or mean? Bigotry and name calling, of any kind, toward any racial or religious group, toward those with disabilites or learning disorders, or toward the LGBTQ community, is uncalled for. We are all human beings learning, loving, and living in the best way we know how. We are all trying to acheive our goals and dreams. And we all deserve the right be treated with decency and respect.
Yes, we have freedom of speech. But we also should be held accountable to use that freedom responsibly.
For more information on this issue, or to find out how to get involved, please visit these websites:
And if you are a victim of bullying or hate, or just need someone to talk to, please visit:
Thank you for reading from Rdwnggrl's World and RdwnggrlEquality.
Once in a while, a band comes along that sweeps you off your feet musically, lyrically, and emotionally. I've been hit by that feeling by a few bands over the years that I feel blessed to have been swept up by. Most notably people know of my devotion (ok, slight obsession) to Depeche Mode. There are other artists that I adore that were hit by that proverbial broom by Depeche Mode too - one being another band that succeeded in sweeping me off my feet in 2006.
She Wants Revenge have just released their third full length studio album, the stunning "Valleyheart" as an homage to where they grew up, the San Fernando Valley. But you don't have to be from the valley to appreciate what they have done here. Like their previous releases, this one is full of driving beats, meaningful lyrics, and the heart beating deep within Justin Warfield's and Adam Bravin's souls. "Valleyheart" is less "goth" sounding than "She Wants Revenge" and "This Is Forever" but is still faithful to the sounds that fans have loved from the beginning.
On first listen, I instantly fell in love with "Not Just a Girl," an achingly beautiful song that will easily rise toward the top of my favorite SWR songs. "Little Stars" reminds me of Dave Gahan's solo work and it would be a dream to hear them perform it together. Other standouts are "Up In Flames," "Kiss Me," "Maybe She's Right," and the very sexy "Take The World." Honestly, though, all of the songs are great - this is an album I will listen to from front to back and back to front again.
It's often noted that the music of She Wants Revenge is obviously influenced by bands like Joy Division, Bauhaus, The Cure, among others. And this album is no exception, hearing influence from Dave Gahan, Jane's Addition, and especially The Pixies on "Holiday Song," along with the previously stated bands. But make no mistake, She Wants Revenge are their own band, making their own music, in their own way. And as long as they continue to do that, they will have a fan in me and the tons of other fans of theirs around the world.
Follow She Wants Revenge on:
Facebook and Twitter
And go out and get "Valleyheart" from the store, from iTunes, from Amazon, from ANYWHERE!!!
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For a number of years, my husband and I were heavily involved in the NW AIDS Walk in Seattle. We started walking in 1997 and did it nearly every year - raising money even in the 2 years we couldn't walk - until we moved away from Seattle. We raised a lot of money for the Lifelong AIDS Alliance over the years. It was something we looked forward to every year and I miss the Seattle walk a lot.
I have two friends in San Francisco who are both taking the initiative to raise money for Bay Area AIDS organizations this summer. The first will taking part in the AIDS/LifeCyle 7-Day, 545 Mile bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles from June 5th-11th. The other will be participating in the 2001 AIDS Walk San Francisco on July 17th. Given how important this cause is to me and how much I adore these two friends, I wanted to spread the word about what they are doing in hopes of getting more pledges headed their way!
Visit my friend Jim's page for the AIDS/LifeCycle to help him reach his goal of $5000.
Visit my friend Kristin's page for the 2011 AIDS Walk San Francisco to help her reach her goal of $250.
It's easy to do and takes only a couple minutes of your time. You'll be doing something good to help people - there isn't much better in life than that feeling.
Thank you from Rdwnggrl's World!
Have you ever had a dream? One that you weren't sure would come to life? One that you felt so strongly about? One that filled you with great hope, but also great doubt? That is the road that we took with Cripple Creek Barbeque on Kickstarter. And thanks to the hard work, kind words, and generous pledges from our family, friends, and strangers WE MADE IT! Our dream is starting take life and within the next couple of months we will have a BBQ food truck roaming the streets of Boulder County in Colorado!
I wish I could personally thank everyone for all of their support. I want to give each of you a hug. Seeing as everyone is spread out all over the world, that is impossible. I hope this, in some way, conveys my deepest gratitude for everything everyone has done to help us. I have my Zazzle family. I have my Depeche Mode family. I have my family. I have my friends - new and old. I now have a very extended CCB family - a group I will always hold dear to my heart and will never forget.
Thank you so much for all of the tweets, retweets, Facebook posts, blogs, comments, messages, encouragement, friendship, and love. I've never felt so lucky in my life.
We hope to make you proud. We hope that we can return the favor one day. And we hope that you know that us saying Thank You brings more than just a simple thanks. It truly does not seem to be enough.
Thank you for reading from Rdwnggrl's World and Cripple Creek Barbeque.
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